Deborah Knight hits back at critics who slammed her appearance during Pauline Hanson interview
The Today show host’s fiery encounter with Pauline Hanson attracted a lot of attention and she had the perfect response to rude comments.
Deborah Knight has hit back at critics who had a go at the journalist’s appearance during her gripping interview with Pauline Hanson.
The Today host grilled the One Nation leader during a heated segment about the controversial comments Senator Hanson made about the Port Arthur massacre in an undercover Al Jazeera investigation.
But while the TV journalist tackled the embattled leader with the tough questions, Australia wanted answers too — and some were more interested in her appearance.
Taking to Instagram, Knight shared a screenshot of a cruel remark made about her hair, telling fans sometimes “substance is more important than style”.
“Ah the joys of social media. No my hair wasn’t ‘done’ for my interview with @senatorpaulinehanson — nor was my makeup the full tilt,” she wrote.
“I literally just jumped on a plane with no time. I know it’s a visual medium but sometimes the substance is more important than the style. #justsaying”
In the screenshot, there was a comment circled by the presenter and journalist that had been left on an earlier post she’d shared about her last minute interview with the “fired up” politician.
It read: “Don’t worry about her Deb! Focus on fixing your hair cut.. Bloody shocking.”
Since the 46-year-old hit back at the shamer, Deb has been inundated with support from her 42,000 followers.
“Well I bloody loved it, Deb. And you’re lucky to have both style and substance,” one wrote.
“I thought it was great your hair wasn’t done with little to no makeup. You looked fab. Liberating. Why are women so mean to each other?” another said.
Someone else said: “Dear God.. You looked amazing.. Don’t let the haters even get a breath of air...”
“You tell them Deb! I personally thought you looked fab as always,” one added.
“Seriously people commenting on your hair is so bloody primary’s school behaviour... pathetic,” another agreed.
Others declared they “loved the natural look” — revealing it was “refreshing” to see someone on TV without makeup.
“You looked fab without make up!” a fan said.
Another said: “I loved your natural look! It was refreshing to see you without makeup and your hair styled!!!”
“Seriously who cares what your hair looks like when discussing gun law???” someone else agreed.
The fiery interview came after Hanson was filmed suggesting the 1996 tragedy was a conspiracy.
“My comments were made at a dinner table, they were not made publicly,” Ms Hanson told her, during the Channel 9 segment. “This was not my doing to have exposed these comments. It was Al Jazeera and an undercover agent. I’m sorry for these people — I really am. They shouldn’t have to go through this again.”
She said her “heart goes out” to the families who lost loved ones in the tragedy, but reiterated her claim that Al Jazeera and “foreign interference” were to blame for her remarks.
She also admitted she hadn’t watched the documentary.
Continue the conversation @RebekahScanlan | rebekah.scanlan@news.com.au